Monday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 13
1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
Commentary:
13:1 Prophets and teachers are always distinct offices in the NT church. See note on 1 Cor. 12:10 and other notes on 1 Corinthians 12–14. Niger is Latin for “black,” indicating he likely came from Africa, as did the Cyrenean Lucius. (Cyrene was the capital city of Cyrene [sometimes called Cyrenaica], a Roman province in Libya, on the north coast of Africa; see Acts 2:10.) Some have identified Lucius with Luke, but this is unlikely, since Luke is Greek and Lucius is Latin. Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, who is mentioned frequently in the Gospels and who reigned in Galilee during Jesus’ ministry (cf. Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1; 23:8; Acts 4:27) 4 b.c. to a.d. 39. He was a son of Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1), and his nephew Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, reigned as king in Judea a.d. 41–44 (Acts 12:1–23). Member of the court translates Greek syntrophos, indicating that Manaen was a close friend of Herod Antipas and had been brought up with him from childhood.
Questions:
- In chapter 13, we get to be a witness to the birth of a church body in Antioch. The apostles didn’t just share the gospel and leave after people were converted, they formed an assembly of believers. They made disciples, raised up leaders. The church at Antioch was an EQUIPPING church. The role of pastors in any church is to equip the believers to do the work of the ministry. But in order to be equipped, you must be plugged in! You have to be more than just a casual, occasional attender. Do you feel you are being equipped? If not, could the reason be that you haven’t fully invested yourself into the family of God? What are some ways you can give yourself more opportunities for equipping?
- Part of being a disciple is also making other disciples. This is how the body of Christ should function… every single believer is helping to encourage other believers, helping them grow in their relationship with the Lord. Hopefully you have someone in your life that intentionally pours into you. But we can’t stop there! We should also be intentionally pouring into someone else. Do you need to ask an older believer that you look up to spiritually if they would meet with you occasionally in order to disciple you? Do you need to start being more intentional with others in your life that you could disciple?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would seek to spend more time being equipped.
- That you would be a disciple that makes disciples.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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